Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez Likely for UFC on Fox 7

It looks like a champion vs. champion fight may be headed to the next major UFC on Fox show with UFC champion Benson Henderson defending his title against Strikeforce lightweight king Gilbert Melendez.

The fight has been proposed for UFC on Fox 7 in San Jose, Calif., on April 20, although no bout agreements have been issued or signed for the fight.

Sources close to the contest confirmed to MMAWeekly.com that verbal agreements are in place for the potential showdown with UFC officials currently working to finalize a deal. MMAFighting.com first reported the potential match-up on Monday.

UFC on Fox 7 is currently set to take place at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, an arena Strikeforce mainstay Gilbert Melendez is all too familiar with.

Melendez fought in and around San Jose for much of his career while competing with Strikeforce, but now that the promotion is no more, he will transfer to the UFC and it appears he will get a shot at the lightweight title on day one in the promotion.

2012 ended up being a banner year for UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, who captured the belt to kick off the year and ended up defending it twice before signing a new eight-fight deal to start 2013.

Now Henderson looks to make a third consecutive title defense when facing Melendez in what should be the headline fight for UFC on Fox 7.